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A man has appeared in court charged with carrying a homemade spear the night of the riots that followed a protest to “kill the bill” in Bristol when police released pictures of 10 people they wanted to track down.
Avon and Somerset police arrested eight men between the ages of 20 and 44 after Sunday night’s mess and said photos of “many more” people they are looking for would be released in the coming days.
On Tuesday, 28-year-old Bradley Edmonds of the city’s Bedminster Down area appeared before Bristol magistrates charged with possession of an offensive weapon – a homemade spear with a sharp edge. He denied the crime and will appear in court in June.
Following Sunday’s peaceful demonstration against police, crime, sentencing and the courts bill, violence erupted in Bristol with a police station attacked, 21 officers injured and police vehicles set on fire.
Police have promised to track down dozens of people they say were involved in the violence and more than 100 officers and staff are working on the case.
Det Ch Supt Carolyn Belafonte said: “The investigation into Sunday’s shameful scenes of violence will undoubtedly be one of the largest in Avon and Somerset police history.
“Hundreds of hours of digital material have already been reviewed and images of the first 10 people that detectives want to talk to about Sunday’s events have been identified and posted in a gallery on our website.
“Officers and staff are working through images and footage as fast as they can, but with more than two terabytes of CCTV footage, as well as nearly 100 officer video cameras and more than 100 videos already submitted by members of the public. to review, this will take a considerable amount of time.
“We hope to post pictures of many more people in the coming days and ask anyone who recognizes someone to contact us. We also ask anyone who recognizes themselves in the images to pick up the phone and dial 101 or visit the nearest police station so that we can arrange for officers to speak with you to get your account of the events. “
Belafonte added: “The incident attracted worldwide attention and we continue to be touched by the incredible support shown to us by the public, as well as organizations and agencies in the city and beyond.
“Other lines of investigation are also being advanced, including forensic evidence, which will help us identify those involved. We may have only arrested eight people so far, but I guarantee you that we are fully committed to tracking down those who carried out the crimes. “
